CEO of Cricket Victoria Nick Cummins has refuted reports that he extended an offer to Babar Azam for a long-term Big Bash League (BBL) contract and a Sheffield Shield contract. According to some recent sources, Cricket Victoria reportedly made contact with the former captain of Pakistan for a local contract. However, Cummins has claimed it to be a “fake news.”
“NEWS – Babar Azam has been contacted by Cricket Victoria with an offer to play Big Bash and Sheffield Shield with the Melbourne Renegades or Melbourne Stars. According to Zake tweet, Babar would decide while considering the Pakistan Cricket Team’s itinerary from September to January 25, 2024.
For those who don’t know, Babar has never participated in the Sheffield Shield in Australia. The 29-year-old did, however, compete for Somerset in the County Championship in 2019 and 2020. In his debut season, he played only one game and scored 40 runs in two innings. Participating in the T20 Blast, the right-hander amassed 218 runs at an average of 36.33, which included a century in the subsequent domestic season.
In the opening Twenty20 International, Babar Azam’s fifty-score is in vain as New Zealand defeats Pakistan.
In the meanwhile, on January 12, Babar made a fifty run in vain during Pakistan’s 46-run defeat against New Zealand in Auckland. In the opening Twenty20 International of the five-match series, Pakistan, led by Shaheen Afridi for the first time, chose to field first after winning the toss. The move backfired as they let up a massive 226 runs even though Shaheen and Abbas Afridi all took three wickets.
Babar remained unwavering in the face of the fierce Kiwi bowling onslaught, reaching his half-century. The 29-year-old helped the hosts take a 1-0 lead when he hit 57 off 35 as Pakistan was bowled out for 180 in 18 overs.
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